Analysis of Google Trends reflecting interest of Internet users in topics related to breast cancer and its prevention in Poland, 2013–2023

Abstract

Introduction and Objective. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, both in Poland and globally. Despite the increasing incidence of breast cancer and the increase in research on Google Trends, there is little research on the application of this tool regarding oncology topics using key words in Polish. There is also a lack of research that focuses explicitly on breast cancer and prevention key words, which creates a need to fill this gap. The aim of the study is to analyse trends in Internet user interest in breast cancer and prevention in Poland between 2013–2023, based on the Google Trends tool. Materials and Method. An analysis of search terms used by Polish Internet users for topics related to breast cancer and prevention in 2013–2023, using the Google Trends tool. Results. Significant changes in the interest of Polish Internet users in selected issues related to breast cancer and its prevention in Poland between 2013 and 2023 were demonstrated. A clear decrease in interest in the key words was noted in the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions. A clear upward trend was shown between 2013–2023 in Poland in interest in the key words: ‘mammography’, ‘breast ultrasound’, ‘breast examination’, ‘MRI’, and ‘breast biopsy’. The lowest interest for 9 of the 14 key words was recorded in April 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. For 7 of the 14 key words, the highest interest (100 on the GT scale) was recorded in the month of October. Google Trends can be used to track public interest in breast cancer and screening in real time.